Eye color paternity test

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and apparatus for determining paternity based on eye color. Determining paternity may include accessing a color digital image of at least one of a male parental candidate, a female parental candidate, and a child candidate. An eye color of each of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate may be determined, wherein the eye color of at least one of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate is determined based on the accessed color digital image. A paternity likelihood of the male parental candidate with regard to the child candidate may be determined based on the determined eye color of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/233,331, filed Sep. 15, 2011, pending, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to paternity testing andmore particularly relate to determining paternity based on eye color andthe use of digital imaging to determine eye color.

BACKGROUND

Paternity testing is used to determine whether two individuals have aparent-child relationship. Today, accurate paternity testing utilizesmodern genetic analysis techniques based on DNA. Previously, other typesof paternity testing have been performed based on physicalcharacteristics such as eye color and blood type. Even though suchtesting based on physical characteristics is typically not as accurateas modern genetic testing, such tests may still be used to providepreliminary results before a more accurate genetic test is performed.

For example, conventional testing methods based on eye color may includecomparing the eye color of a candidate mother, father, and child todetermine whether the eye color of the mother and father could haveresulted in the eye color of the child. However, such tests are ofteninaccurate because eye color often appears much lighter at birth and maynot darken to its true color for several years. Furthermore, naturalvariations in human genes may also influence eye color. Thus, eventhough an eye color paternity test may offer some clues about paternity,it is not typically consistent enough for definitive paternity testresults. Nevertheless, eye color paternity testing may still be usefulas a preliminary test to encourage more accurate genetic testing.Furthermore, eye color paternity testing has value as a novelty tool forparents wondering about the paternity of a child.

Some conventional eye color paternity tests can be performed quicklyusing a programmed electronic computing device. However, conventionaldevices rely on a user to input the eye color of the mother, father, andchild into the device. This often results in inaccurate eye colordeterminations and subsequently inaccurate paternity results.Conventional devices fail to utilize actual digital images of candidateparents and children to more accurately determine eye color.Furthermore, conventional devices lack the entertainment value ofcapturing and comparing actual images of the physical characteristics ofcandidate parents and children. Such devices also lack the ability toprovide advertisements and/or information to a user about additionaltesting and where to obtain additional paternity test products andservices.

SUMMARY

There is a need in the art for a device that enables a user to quicklydetermine eye color based on a digital image and to perform apreliminary paternity test based on the determined eye color.Furthermore, a device is needed that is configured to provideadvertisements and additional information to a user regarding where andhow to obtain more accurate paternity testing. A method, system, andapparatus are provided herein for determining likelihood of paternitybased on eye color.

The method may include accessing a color digital image of at least oneof a male parental candidate, a female parental candidate, and a childcandidate. The method may further include determining an eye color ofeach of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, andthe child candidate, wherein the eye color of at least one of the maleparental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the childcandidate is determined based on the accessed color digital image. Themethod may also include determining a paternity likelihood of the maleparental candidate and the female parental candidate with regard to thechild candidate based on the determined eye color of the male parentalcandidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate.

In one embodiment, the method includes accessing a color digital imageof at least one of the male parental candidate, the female parentalcandidate, and the child candidate. In a further embodiment, the methodincludes the eye color of each of the male parental candidate, thefemale parental candidate, and the child candidate and is determinedbased on the accessed color digital image of each of the male parentalcandidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidaterespectively. In some embodiments, the eye color of the at least one ofthe male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and thechild candidate is determined by comparing the color digital image to aset of predefined human eye colors. In a further embodiment, the eyecolor of the at least one of the male parental candidate, the femaleparental candidate, and the child candidate is selected by a user fromthe set of predefined human eye colors. In yet a further embodiment, auser may be prompted with a proposed color from the set of predefinedhuman eye colors in response to selection of a portion of the colordigital image with an input device.

In some instances, the eye color of the at least one of a male parentalcandidate, a female parental candidate, and a child candidate isdetermined automatically. The eye color of the at least one of a maleparental candidate, a female parental candidate, and a child candidateis determined automatically based on a comparison of a color of one ormore pixels of the color digital image with the set of human eye colors.In a further embodiment, the eye color of the at least one of a maleparental candidate, a female parental candidate, and a child candidateis determined automatically based on a comparison of a color of aplurality of pixels of the color digital image with the set of human eyecolors. In yet another embodiment, the eye color of the at least one ofa male parental candidate, a female parental candidate, and a childcandidate is determined by averaging a plurality of pixel colors of thecolor digital image to determine an average eye color based on the colordigital image

Determining the eye color of the eye of the at least one parentalcandidate may include displaying the captured digital image of the eyeof the at least one parental candidate on an electronic display;receiving input from a user to select a portion of the digital imagethat represents the eye color of the eye of the at least one parentalcandidate; and selecting a color that best matches the color of theselected portion of the digital image. In a further embodiment, the eyecolor of the at least one parental candidate is determined by averaginga plurality of colors of the color digital image to determine an averageeye color based on the color digital image.

In one embodiment, the method includes displaying the captured colordigital image of the eye of the at least one parental candidate on anelectronic display; receiving input from a user to select a portion ofthe digital image that represents the eye color of the eye of the atleast one of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate,and the child candidate; and selecting a color that best matches thecolor of the selected portion of the digital image. The method may alsoinclude displaying an advertisement for additional paternity testing anddetermining a location nearest to a user where additional paternitytesting may be obtained. In some embodiments, the method includescapturing the digital image of the at least one parental candidate witha digital imaging device. In a further embodiment, the method includesdetermining an eye color of one or more candidate grandparents whereindetermining a paternity likelihood is at least partially based on thedetermined eye color of the one or more candidate grandparents. In yet afurther embodiment, the method includes determining an eye color of oneor more candidate siblings wherein determining a paternity likelihood isat least partially based on the determined eye color of the one or morecandidate siblings

An electronic device is provided for determining paternity based on eyecolor that includes a processor, a memory, and a display. The electronicdevice may further include a digital imaging module, an eye colormodule, and a paternity module configured to substantially perform themethod acts described above. In one embodiment, the digital imagingmodule, eye color module, and paternity module may be stored on anon-transitory computer readable medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of asystem for performing a paternity test in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of apaternity tool for performing a paternity test in accordance with thepresent invention and FIG. 2B depicts a spectrum of lighter to darkereye colors associated with humans;

FIG. 3 is a simplified top view illustrating one embodiment of anelectronic device configured to perform paternity testing in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified top view further illustrating one embodiment ofan electronic device configured to access a digital image in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified top view further illustrating one embodiment ofan electronic device configured to perform paternity testing inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified top view further illustrating one embodiment ofan electronic device configured to determine an eye color from a digitalimage in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a simplified top view further illustrating one embodiment ofan electronic device configured to display paternity test results;

FIG. 8 is a simplified top view further illustrating one embodiment ofan electronic device configured to determine paternity by using digitalimages of grandparents and or siblings in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a methodfor performing a paternity test in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many of the functional units described in this specification have beenlabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or otherdiscrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmablehardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmablearray logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by varioustypes of processors. An identified module of executable code may, forinstance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computerinstructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object,procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identifiedmodule need not be physically located together, but may comprisedisparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joinedlogically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purposefor the module.

Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or manyinstructions, and may even be distributed over several different codesegments, among different programs, and across several memory devices.Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated hereinwithin modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organizedwithin any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may becollected as a single data set, or may be distributed over differentlocations including over different storage devices.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown,by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.However, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, logical, andelectrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actualviews of any particular device or system, but are merely idealizedrepresentations that are employed to describe embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The drawings presented herein are not necessarily drawn toscale. Additionally, elements common between drawings may retain thesame or have similar numerical designation.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a system 100 for performing a paternitytest based on physical characteristics and phenotype information. Thesystem 100 includes an electronic device 102 that includes a memory 104and a processor 106. As will be recognized by one of skill in the art,the electronic device 102 may be a device such as a personal computer,laptop, client, server, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), cell phone,smart phone, or the like. The electronic device 102 includes a paternitytool 108 that is configured with the logic necessary to performpaternity testing based on physical characteristics such as eye color.Although other physical characteristics may be used in accordance withthe paternity tool 108, the present description will focus primarily oneye color. Other characteristics that may be included for analysisinclude, but are not limited to, ear lobe type, widow's peak type,tongue type, blood type, and other characteristics that are useful indetermining paternity. Additionally, although the present descriptionmay focus on human characteristics, it is contemplated that the physicalcharacteristics of other animal types may be used in accordance with thepresent device. For example, a dog breeder may use an embodiment of thetool described herein to analyze the paternity of a puppy.

In various embodiments, the paternity tool 108 may be installed on theelectronic device 102, accessed on an external device such as on a webserver, stored on a computer readable medium, or may be implemented onthe electronic device 102 using other computer processing techniquesknown in the art. Generally, the paternity tool 108 is configured toperform the logic necessary to utilize digital images to determine theeye color of one or more parental candidates and a child candidate, andto make paternity determinations based on the eye color determined fromthe digital images. Preferably, color digital images are used inaccordance with the present invention, but other types of digital imagesare contemplated if they include sufficient data for determining the eyecolor of a subject depicted in the digital image. For example, the usermay capture a digital image of a candidate mother, candidate father,and/or a candidate child, and the paternity tool 108 may be used todetermine the eye color of each of the candidate mother, candidatefather, and candidate child. Once the eye color of the candidate mother,candidate father, and candidate child is determined, the paternity tool108 may determine whether the candidate child is potentially thebiological offspring of the candidate mother and the candidate father.The paternity tool 108 may then present the results to a user anddisplay an advertisement or instructions on how to obtain a moreaccurate paternity test. The paternity tool 108 provides a preliminarypaternity test and may be used simply for entertainment purposes in someinstances.

In one embodiment, the system 100 includes a digital imaging device 110such as a digital camera, web-cam, digital video camera, or the like.The digital imaging device 110 may be utilized to capture digital imagesof candidate parents and/or candidate children. As will be recognized byone of skill in the art, the digital imaging device 110 may beintegrated into a device such as a cell phone or PDA. In the case wherea portable device such as a PDA or cell phone is used, the paternitytool 108 may be implemented as an application or “app” installed on thedevice. Such an implementation enables for the paternity tool 108 to beportable and readily available to a user on the go. Furthermore, theelectronic device 102 may be configured to access the internet or tocommunicate wirelessly with other devices such as through a Wi-Fi orother communication means. Thus, additional information may be retrievedby the paternity tool 108 from remote locations. Such information mayinclude, for example, stored digital images, advertisements, ordirections to a distributor that sells additional paternity tests. Asdepicted, the system 100 may also include a display 112 for displayinggraphics, data, images, and the like to the user.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the paternity tool 108 that includes aplurality of logic modules. In the depicted embodiment, the paternitytool 108 includes a digital imaging module 202, an eye color module 204,a paternity determination module 206, and an output module 208. Ofcourse, in other embodiments the paternity tool 108 may include one ormore additional modules, and/or the modules may be divided or combinedto enable operation of the paternity tool 108.

In the depicted embodiment, the digital imaging module 202 may beconfigured to access a digital image of at least one parental candidate.In one embodiment, the digital image of a parental candidate may beaccessed by first capturing the digital image with a digital imagingdevice 110 such as a digital camera. In another embodiment, the digitalimage of the parental candidate may be accessed by retrieving apreviously stored digital image of the parental candidate from a storagedevice. For example, the digital image of the parental candidate may beretrieved by accessing system memory, downloading the image from theinternet, receiving the image via email, or by similar means recognizedby those of skill in the art.

In certain embodiments, the digital imaging module 202 accesses digitalimages of each of a male parental candidate, a female parentalcandidate, and a child candidate. In some embodiments, the digitalimaging module 202 may access digital images for fewer than each of themale parental candidate, female parental candidate and child candidate.For example, a digital image of the male parental candidate may beunavailable, in which case, digital images of the female parentalcandidate and the child candidate may be accessed, and eye colorinformation for the male parental candidate may be input by a user.

The eye color module 204 may be configured to determine an eye color ofone or more of the parental candidates based on the digital image. Inone embodiment, the eye color module 204 may display the digital imagefor user to examine. Cropping, zooming, and other photo manipulationtools may be used to display a portion of the digital image thatincludes the eye of a candidate parent or child. A set of potentialhuman eye colors may be displayed with the digital image for comparison.Typically, human eye color is classified into eight common color typesincluding light-blue, blue, blue-green, green, hazel, light-brown,brown, and dark brown. However, in some instances eye color may bedivided into more or fewer color classifications. For the purposes ofthis description, a set of eight human eye colors will be described.Thus, in one embodiment, a set of eight human eye colors may bedisplayed next to a digital image of a parental candidate for comparisonwith the digital image. The set of eight human eye colors may bepresented so as to depict one or both of a name of the eye color and asample of the eye color. Display of a sample of each eye color enableseasier comparison with the digital image.

In one embodiment, a user may select the eye color of a candidate parentfrom the set of colors that most closely matches the color in thedigital image. In another embodiment, digital processing may beimplemented to automatically detect an eye color from the digital imageand match it to a color from the set of eye colors. In one embodiment,an input device such as a touch screen, mouse, or other device, may beused to select the portion of the digital image that depicts the iris,the part of the eye that is associated with eye color. For example, acursor may be directed over the digital image so as to select one ormore pixels that depict the color of an eye from the digital image. Theeye color module 204 may suggest a matching eye color for the selectedportion of the iris as the cursor is moved over different portions ofthe digital image. For example, as a cursor is moved over a certaincolored pixel or group of pixels, a pop-up box or other displaymechanism may be presented to a user that suggests a color match for thepixel or group of pixels. In this manner a user may determine a colorfrom the set of eight eye colors that most closely matches the iriscolor from the digital image.

In at least one embodiment, the eye color of the parental or childcandidate may be determined by averaging a plurality of pixel colors ofthe color digital image to determine an average eye color based on thecolor digital image. For example, a user may use a cursor to selectseveral sample pixel colors from the digital image (e.g. several samplesfrom the iris portion of the color digital image). The several samplepixel colors may be averaged together to determine an average eye colorand/or to suggest an average color for selection by a user. In at leastone embodiment, selecting sample colors may include using an inputdevice to click (e.g. with a mouse) or tap (e.g. with a touchscreen) onvarious parts of the eye depicted in the color digital image to selectcorresponding pixel colors for averaging. In some instances, the eyecolor depicted in the digital image may not be uniform across the iris,and in such instances averaging a sample of multiple selected eye colorsmay improve accuracy of the test.

In a further embodiment, an input device may be used to select theportion of the digital image that represents eye color by encircling,cropping, selecting, and/or otherwise indicating the iris portion of thecolor digital image. Digital processing may then be used to determine anaverage color of all of the colors (e.g. each pixel color) in theselected portion of the digital image to determine an average eye color.For example, each pixel in the selected portion of the color digitalimage may be examined to determine a color of the pixel and ultimatelyto determine an average eye color for the candidate depicted in thecolor digital image.

In yet a further embodiment, a predetermined number of samples of pixelcolors from the encircled portion of the digital image may be used todetermine the average eye color, such that each pixel need not beexamined. In some instances, the predetermined number of samples maycorrespond to predetermined locations of the eye of the candidate parentor child. For example, the eye color module 204 may be configured toselect samples from the inner part of the iris, the outer part of theiris, the middle of the iris, in a uniform pattern across the iris, etc.In at least one embodiment, the eye color module 204 may automaticallydetect a plurality of sample pixel colors from the digital image andautomatically combine them to determine an eye color of the persondepicted in the color digital image or to suggest an eye color forselection by a user. In some embodiments, the eye color module 204 maybe configurable with settings that allow a user to select a type ofcolor identification methodology, such as using a single color sample,using multiple color samples, using all pixels in a selected portion ofthe digital image, automatically selecting an eye color, presenting aproposed eye color to a user, or the like.

In at least one embodiment, the electronic device 102 and/or its display112 may be calibrated to ensure a more accurate color match. Forexample, conventional displays 112 may have settings such as color,brightness, and contrast that allow for the appearance of the display tobe adjusted. The display 112 may be adjusted accordingly to ensure thatthe colors are being accurately displayed. Furthermore, the digitalimaging device 110 may be used to further calibrate the display 112 bycapturing images of known colors and ensuring that they are properlydisplayed on the display 112 of the electronic device. In someinstances, capturing the digital images of the candidate parents andcandidate child with the same digital imaging device 110 may result inmore accurate eye color determinations by eliminating displaydifferences that may result from disparate digital imaging devices.

Once eye color information for each of the candidate parents and thecandidate child is determined, the paternity determination module 206determines whether the selected eye color for the parental candidates,if they mated, could result in the eye color of the child candidate.This determination is made based on known eye color inheritance patternsas will be recognized by one of skill in the art. Generally, an eyecolor paternity test assumes that light-eyed parents cannot havedarker-eyed children. FIG. 2B depicts a spectrum of lighter to darkereye colors associated with humans.

Eye color follows a polygenic inheritance pattern. Generally, thesegenes express themselves as one of the eight depicted eye colors. “Dark”is dominant in the genes that determine eye color, and the more dominantalleles present, the darker eye color appears. From this information,the paternity determination module 206 makes a reasoned predicationregarding the likelihood of paternity based on the known eye colors ofthe parental candidates and child candidates. Generally, two“light-blue” eyed parents cannot have a “blue” eyed (or darker eyed)child. Two “blue” eyed parents can have a “blue-green” (or lighter) eyedchild, but not hazel or anything darker. Two “blue-green” eyed parentscan have a “light-brown” (or lighter) eyed child, but not brown oranything darker. One “light-brown” eyed parent and one “blue-green” eyedparent can have a child with any of the possible eye colors. Two“dark-brown or black” eyed parents can have a child any of the possibleeye colors (but it is unlikely that they will have a light eyed child,such as a light blue or blue).

The output module 208 outputs the results of the paternitydetermination, such as by displaying “match”, signifying possiblepaternity, or “no match”, signifying that paternity is not likely basedon the eye color analysis. The output module 208 may also displayadvertisements for and provide instructions on how to obtain a moreaccurate paternity test. Additional information may also be presented tothe user such as information about how eye color genetics work and theeye color of the parents and child may not be consistent with abiological relationship. In one embodiment, a link may be provided to aninformation page further explaining the eye color test and the results.In further embodiments, the output module 208 may display a potentialrange of eye color for a child based on the eye color of the twocandidate parents. For example, if the first candidate parent haslight-brown eyes and the second candidate parent has blue-green eyes,the output module 208 may display information explaining that apotential child may have any of the possible eye colors.

FIGS. 3-8 depict simplified top views of an electronic device 302configured to perform paternity testing based on eye color in accordancewith the present invention. Each of FIGS. 3-8 depict examples of whatmight be displayed by the electronic device 302 during operation of thepaternity tool 108 as implemented on the electronic device 302.

FIG. 3 is a simplified top view illustrating one embodiment of theelectronic device 302 configured to perform paternity testing inaccordance with the present invention. The electronic device 302 asdepicted includes a touch screen display 304 that is configured toreceive input from a user based on the location and manner in which thetouch screen display 304 is contacted by a user. The touch screendisplay 304 in FIG. 3 depicts prompts for accessing a digital image of acandidate mother 306, a candidate father 308, and a candidate child 310.A “process” button 312 is also depicted that initiates processing of thepaternity test once an eye color for each of the candidate mother 306,candidate father 308, and candidate child 310 have been determined. Inone embodiment, touching the candidate mother 306 portion of the touchscreen 304 results in a prompt to access a digital image of a candidatemother as depicted in FIG. 4.

In response to selecting the candidate mother 306 portion of the touchscreen 304, FIG. 4 depicts a display that includes buttons for picking aphoto from a library 402, capturing a photo from a camera 404, orcanceling the operation 406. From this display, a user may opt to accessa photo of the candidate mother that has already been stored, or to usean attached digital imaging device 310 to capture a photo of thecandidate mother. If a user initiates the button to pick a photo from alibrary 402, a screen will be presented to allow a user to navigate to alocation of the photo. If a user initiates the button to capture a photofrom a camera 404, the attached digital imaging device 310 will beinitiated. In one embodiment, the touch screen display 304 may display acamera view when the digital imaging device 110 is initiated. Thedigital imaging device 110 may then be used to capture images of thecandidate parents and/or candidate child. If a user initiates the cancelbutton 406, the operation is ended.

As depicted in FIG. 5, once a digital image is accessed either byretrieving the digital image from a storage location or by capturing anew digital image with a digital imaging device 110, the image isdisplayed in the candidate mother location of the touch screen display304. Once a digital image of the candidate mother 306 is retrieved, adigital image for the candidate father 308 and candidate child 310 maybe accessed in a similar manner. Of course, the digital images for thecandidate mother 306, candidate father 308, and candidate child 310 maybe accessed in any order as preferred by the user.

In some instances, multiple candidate parents and children may beconsidered. For example, if two candidate fathers are available, adigital image of each of the candidate fathers may be accessed and usedin the paternity test. In such an embodiment, the paternity test mayindicate a preliminary paternity test result for each of the consideredfathers. Similarly, the paternity tool 108 may be configured to considermultiple candidate children and/or multiple candidate mothers.

Once a digital image is obtained, the electronic device 302 may beconfigured with the logic to manipulate the digital image to betterdetermine the physical characteristics of the candidate parent or childdepicted in the digital image. For example, as depicted in FIG. 6, auser may use touch screen controls to zoom in on the eye portion 602 ofthe digital image. In the depicted embodiment, a crop button 604 may beused to crop the picture around the eye portion 602. In furtherembodiments, additional image manipulating functions may be incorporatedsuch as rotating the image, reversing the image, or the like. Asdepicted, a user may manipulate a cursor 606 to select the iris portionof the eye 602 that represents eye color. In one embodiment, as thecursor moves over the digital image, a suggested color 608 may bedisplayed for examination by a user. The suggested color 608 mayrepresent the color of the current selected pixel or group of pixels. Ina further embodiment, the suggested color 608 may represent a closestmatch to a color from a set of possible human eye colors 610. Based onthe eye color from the digital image, a best matching color from the setof possible human eye colors 610 is selected. This may be done by userselection based on a comparison of the digital image with the set ofhuman eye colors 610, or may be performed automatically by the paternitytool 108 using digital processing techniques.

In one embodiment, the paternity tool 108 may take a sampling of aplurality of pixels from the eye portion 602 of the digital image todetermine the likely eye color of the candidate parent or candidatechild being examined. For example, the paternity tool 108 may determinean average color based on a sampling of many pixels from the irisportion of the digital image. In a further embodiment, it iscontemplated that the paternity tool 108 may automatically detect an eyeportion of a digital image and determine a closest matching eye colorfor the detected eye portion of the digital image without substantialinput from a user.

Referring to FIG. 5, once an eye color is determined for each of acandidate mother, a candidate father, and a candidate child, a user mayinitiate the process button 312. In response the electronic device 302performs operations to determine a paternity result of the candidatechild based on the determined eye color of each of the candidate mother,father, and child. FIG. 7 depicts one example of a display of theresults of the paternity test. In the depicted embodiment, the selectedeye color 702 for each of the candidate parents and the child aredepicted, and a result 704 is presented that indicates “NO MATCH.” Nomatch, in this case, means that the eye colors selected for thecandidate parents are not consistent with a biological relationship withthe candidate child. In further embodiments, additional results may bepresented including, but not limited to, a listing of potential eyecolors for a child of the candidate mother and candidate father and alikelihood of paternity based on the selected eye colors. In furtherembodiments, the results may incorporate additional information based onother characteristics of the candidate parents and candidate child suchas ear lobe type, widows peak type, tongue shape type, blood type, etc.Furthermore, the paternity tool 108 may be configured to prompt theinput of such information for each candidate parent and/or child in amanner similar to eye color. In some instances, a digital image may beused to identify additional physical characteristics such as ear lobetype for a candidate parent or child. This information may be used toprovide more accurate paternity test results.

As depicted in FIG. 7, an advertisement 706 for a company that providesadditional and/or more accurate paternity testing products may beprovided. Thus, the paternity tool 108 may be used to initiate targetmarketing and advertising for paternity testing companies. The paternitytool 108 may also include a link 708 to “find a store” that carriespaternity testing products. In one embodiment, selecting the “find astore” button 708 may cause the electronic device 302 to present a listof stores that provide paternity test kits or services. Furthermore, theelectronic device 302 may be configured to automatically determine acurrent location of the electronic device 302 using GPS or other means,and may provide directions or a map to a user for locating a particulardistributor of paternity testing products and services.

FIG. 8 is a simplified top view further illustrating one embodiment ofan electronic device configured to determine paternity by using digitalimages of grandparents and or siblings in accordance with the presentinvention. It is contemplated that in addition to using informationabout candidate parents and candidate children, the paternity tool 108may incorporate information about candidate grandparents 802 andcandidate siblings 804 of the candidate child. This information may beutilized to provide a more accurate paternity test result. In variousembodiments, digital images of candidate grandparents and/or candidatesiblings may be utilized to determine physical characteristics such aseye color, ear lobe type, or the like. In further embodiments, wheredigital images may not be conveniently available, information aboutcandidate grandparents and candidate siblings may be input by a userusing conventional means.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method900 for performing a paternity test in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 900 substantially includes the embodiments andconfigurations described above with regard to FIGS. 1-8. The method 900begins by accessing 902 a digital image of a parental candidate. Asexplained above, this may be accomplished by accessing a stored image ofthe parental candidate or by capturing a new digital image of theparental candidate using a digital imaging device 110. From the digitalimage, an eye color of the parental candidate is determined 904. Photomanipulation tools may be used to zoom in on and crop the eye portion ofthe digital image. Digital processing techniques may be used to suggesta color of the eye portion of the digital image that corresponds to aknown human eye color. In some embodiments, the eye color may beselected automatically using digital image processing performed by anelectronic device 102.

A digital image may be accessed and an eye color may be determined forone or more additional candidate parents and/or children. A paternityresult is determined 906 for the candidate parents based on thedetermined eye color of the candidate parents and/or the candidatechild. In some embodiments, additional physical characteristics may beincluded in the paternity analysis to provide a more accurate result.The paternity test results may then be presented 908 to a user via adevice such as a display 112, a printout, or other output mechanismsrecognized by one of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, information may be provided 910 to a userconcerning how to obtain additional paternity testing such as moreaccurate genetic testing or the like. For example, an advertisement fora genetic testing company or product may be displayed. An electronicdevice 102 may be used to automatically determine 912 a nearest physicallocation where addition paternity testing may be obtained. For example,GPS information, a mapping tool, or similar device may be used to directa user to a location where additional paternity services or products maybe obtained. In some embodiments, the method 900 may include additionalsteps for determining an eye color for candidate grandparents andsiblings.

These methods may be practiced in some embodiments with fewer steps orin a different order than are shown. It is thus apparent that a noveland unobvious market analysis method and apparatus has been described ina variety of embodiments. Many additions, deletions, and modificationsto the preferred embodiments may be made without departing from thescope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. Further, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromits spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments areto be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

1. A method of determining paternity based on eye color, the methodcomprising: electronically accessing a color digital image of at leastone of a male parental candidate, a female parental candidate, and achild candidate; digitally processing the color digital image todetermine an eye color of at least one of the male parental candidate,the female parental candidate, and the child candidate, wherein the eyecolor of at least one of the male parental candidate, the femaleparental candidate, and the child candidate is determined based on theaccessed color digital image; determining a paternity likelihood of atleast one of the male parental candidate and the female parentalcandidate with regard to the child candidate based on the determined eyecolor of the at least one of the male parental candidate, the femaleparental candidate, and the child candidate; and displaying thepaternity likelihood of the male parental candidate and the femaleparental candidate with regard to the child candidate on an electronicdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising electronicallyaccessing a color digital image of each of the male parental candidate,the female parental candidate, and the child candidate.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising determining the eye color of each of themale parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the childcandidate based on the accessed color digital image of each of the maleparental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the childcandidate respectively.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining a set of potential eye colors of the child candidate basedon the determined eye color of the at least one of the male parentalcandidate and the female parental candidate.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the eye color of the at least one of the male parentalcandidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate isdetermined by comparing a portion of the digital image to a set ofpredefined human eye colors.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the eyecolor of the at least one of the male parental candidate, the femaleparental candidate, and the child candidate is selected by a user fromthe set of predefined human eye colors.
 7. The method of claim 5,further comprising prompting the user with a proposed color from the setof predefined human eye colors in response to selection of a portion ofthe color digital image with an input device.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the eye color of the at least one of a male parental candidate,a female parental candidate, and a child candidate is determinedautomatically by the electronic device.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the eye color of the at least one of a male parental candidate,a female parental candidate, and a child candidate is determinedautomatically by the electronic device based on a comparison of a colorof one or more pixels of the color digital image with a set of human eyecolors.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the eye color of the at leastone of a male parental candidate, a female parental candidate, and achild candidate is determined automatically by the electronic devicebased on a comparison of a color of a plurality of pixels of the colordigital image with a set of human eye colors.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the eye color of the at least one of a male parental candidate,a female parental candidate, and a child candidate is determined bydigitally averaging a plurality of colors of the color digital image todetermine an average eye color based on the color digital image.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining the eye color of at least one ofthe male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and thechild candidate based on the accessed color digital image comprises:displaying the captured digital image of the eye of the at least one ofthe male parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and thechild candidate on an electronic display; receiving input from a user toselect a portion of the digital image that represents the eye color ofthe eye of the at least one of the male parental candidate, the femaleparental candidate, and the child candidate; and selecting a color thatbest matches the color of the selected portion of the digital image. 13.The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an advertisement onthe electronic device for additional paternity testing.
 14. The methodof claim 1, further comprising determining a location nearest to a userof the electronic device where additional paternity testing may beobtained.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising capturing thedigital image of at least one of the male parental candidate, the femaleparental candidate, and the child candidate with a digital imagingdevice associated with the electronic device.
 16. The method of claim 1,further comprising digitally processing the color digital image todetermine an eye color of one or more candidate grandparents, whereindetermining a paternity likelihood is at least partially based on thedetermined eye color of the one or more candidate grandparents.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising digitally processing the colordigital image to determine an eye color of one or more candidatesiblings, wherein determining a paternity likelihood is at leastpartially based on the determined eye color of the one or more candidatesiblings.
 18. A non-transitory computer readable medium havinginstructions stored thereon to determine paternity based on eye color,the computer readable medium comprising: a digital imaging moduleconfigured to electronically access a color digital image of at leastone of a male parental candidate, a female parental candidate, and achild candidate; an eye color module configured to digitally process thecolor digital image to determine an eye color of at least one of themale parental candidate, the female parental candidate, and the childcandidate, wherein the eye color of at least one of the male parentalcandidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate isdetermined based on the accessed color digital image; and a paternitymodule configured to determine a paternity likelihood of at least one ofthe male parental candidate with regard to the child candidate based onthe determined eye color of the at least one of the male parentalcandidate, the female parental candidate, and the child candidate. 19.An electronic device for determining paternity based on eye color, theelectronic device comprising: a processor and a memory; a display; and adigital imaging module configured to electronically access a colordigital image of at least one of a male parental candidate, a femaleparental candidate, and a child candidate; an eye color moduleconfigured to digitally process the color digital image to determine aneye color of at least one of the male parental candidate, the femaleparental candidate, and the child candidate, wherein the eye color of atleast one of the male parental candidate, the female parental candidate,and the child candidate is determined based on the accessed colordigital image; and a paternity module configured to determine apaternity likelihood of at least one of the male parental candidate withregard to the child candidate based on the determined eye color of theat least one of the male parental candidate, the female parentalcandidate, and the child candidate.
 20. The electronic device of claim19, further comprising a digital imaging device in electroniccommunication with the electronic device.